Ode to a Small Lump of Green Putty…..
10 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Libraries, Professionalism Tags: Douglas Adams, Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy, job satisfaction, librarianship, Libraries, Mae West, Professionalism, reflection
What a strange sense of relief I feel to be walking out of the door of a place that cannot do a single thing ‘without orders signed in triplicate, sent in, sent back, queried, lost, found, subjected to public inquiry, lost again, and finally buried in soft peat for three months and recycled as firelighters.’*
Putty. Putty. Putty.
Green Putty – Grutty Peen.
Grarmpitutty – Morning!
Pridsummer – Grorning Utty!
Discovery….. Oh.
Putty?….. Armpit?
Armpit….. Putty.
Not even a particularly
Nice shade of green
*Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy: Douglas Adams 1979
No more Vogon bureaucracy. Lets try this….see what happens!
What has Mae West got to do with Libraries?
10 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in Infobyte, Professionalism, Scarlettlibrarian Tags: librarianship, Professionalism, reflection
How can I follow that last post with Mae West?
I like her quote below and I think what I’ve just achieved adheres to it! Having chosen to walk away from my library role in order to love libraries, may seem a rash decision to some people. I’ve blogged before about taking risks and veering ever so slightly from my chosen ‘career’ path (children, transport etc), so really this is well within character for me. All I would say is that I eventually found myself in an impossible situation where I felt under pressure to not advocate libraries/library roles (etc etc) and not have any interest in the library/information sphere. So I have moved to a different administrative role outside of the education sector, in order to allow myself the liberty to advocate what I want!
‘Whenever I’m caught between two evils, I take the one I’ve never tried before’ Mae West
What positive thing can I take with me from all of this?
My CV looks good 
I’ve had time to develop my twitter contacts – Library and ’40s: excellent time given over to networking
I’ve had a huge learning curve on knowing the sort of people I like to work with….and
I have a skills set:
- Problem solving
- Adaptable/flexibility in work environment
- Research and development
- Project management
- Leadership and team work
- Records management
- Evidence Based Practice foundation skills
- IT and Information management
CPD23 Plymouth event 30th September 2011 – how it went
02 Nov 2011 Leave a Comment
in CILIP, Libraries, Professionalism Tags: Cilip, CPD23Things, job satisfaction, librarianship, Professionalism, social media
Plymouth Event: CPD23 ‘Real life networking’ meet up on Friday 30th September The Bank, Plymouth City Centre
Finally……the reflection!
This summer saw information professionals from all over the world take part in ’23 things for professional development’, an online programme hosted by several new professionals outlining 23 ‘Things’ that would be useful personal development for any information professional and as part of this, a few of us in the Plymouth area decided it would be nice to meet other’s in the profession for an informal get together.
This was a gathering intended to be not only for CPD23ers no matter what ‘Thing’ people were up to, but also for all or any librarians, library assistants or any conjugation or derivative of that.
The event was arranged by Annette Earl, Claire Beck and Venessa Harris, and despite the fact that we believed we may be the only three attendees, we actually had an ideal group of seven – a mixed ‘bunch’ from Cornwall and Plymouth. Represented were Looe Library, Marjons (University College Plymouth, St Mark & St John), Plymouth University, Plymouth Central Library, and Lipson Community College. The event was actually a casual meet up, so although work places were mentioned, we focused on our own perspectives of what was happening in the library and information sphere currently. It was an extremely useful bonding exercise to have a face to face meet up – a few of us use Twitter to communicate with other professionals, and the practical use of this social media tool in terms of information sharing was discussed in a positive way. We also talked about ‘Library’ qualifications. These are of course mostly information qualifications now, although they are still seen by some as de-valued due to impending Library closures. At the moment in this country, there are 400 Libraries under threat of closure, and all staff involved are actively having to prove their worth as adaptable and flexible personnel, who have a wide and useful skills set. We also discussed CILIP, and the specialised groups, in particular the Career Development Group, and Chartership. Those of us that are members of CILIP are trying to find ways to become more involved, but also to actually seek out what CILIP are doing for us! Around the table there were a few differences, but it was noted that CILIP should be opened up to other related professions within information and knowledge management. We all agreed we would like a progressive leadership but also that we would like it to remain professional.
On the whole, this was a great way to chew the library fat, have a bit of a rant, and also get some mutual support for what lies ahead. Several of us exchanged details so that we can do the whole thing all over again!
If you would be interested in coming along to our next meet-up please email venessaharris@gmail.com
We hope to see you there!
CILIP Update: GCHQ, how refreshing
31 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in CILIP, Infobyte, Professionalism Tags: Cilip, GCHQ, Information Management, job satisfaction, librarianship, library management system, LIS skills, positive advocacy, Professionalism
This months CILIP Update included a piece about GCHQ: Official site of the UK Government Communications Headquarters which is the centre for Her Majesty’s Government’s Signal Intelligence (SIGINT) activities. These are my thoughts.
‘I don’t recruit a records manager, or legislation experts, or web content managers, I recruit information professionals. Understand that I am looking for people who are flexible, and agile, and prepared to USE the skills common to all these roles.’ Karen mcFarlane, Head of Profession, GCHQ
Passionate about CPD, Karen encourages her staff at GCHQ to charter and revalidate (CILIP). She says that many of the group are trained CILIP mentors. There are recruitment bonuses for people who charter and an hour a week for professional development. There is also a KIM ‘career stream’ at GCHQ. These are good incentives!
“There are many misconceptions about working at GCHQ. We know from experience that some people think we’re somehow a ‘secret’ business, where brainy ‘boffins’ work in darkened rooms, talk in hushed tones and avoid contact with the outside world. Others watch popular TV shows like ‘Spooks’ and take it at face value. The reality is of course rather different.” (Life at GCHQ)
So with this in mind, I wondered if we could talk about how CILIP responds to this type of progressive and broad skills set, which moves away from aiming at a specific role.
Currently, at CILIP, we cite the items below as essential LIS skills:
- develop the specialised subject knowledge of the sector you work in
- understand and use appropriate technology and systems to select, organise and find material relevant to your users
- keep up to date with advances in technology and social media
- develop the information literacy of your users
- produce information alerting services
- work as part of a team
- use effective communication and interpersonal skills
- deliver high levels of customer service skills
I think that ones outlined by Sue Myburgh, Susie Kay, and even Jennifer Marie Eustis are more relevant* Here’s what I think:
- Use effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Be familiar with at least one integrated library/information management system and main types of classification schedules
- Understand and use appropriate technology and systems to select, organise and find material relevant to your users
- Keep up to date with advances in technology AND social media
- Knowledge of encoding of content designation (MARC21 and other schema) including knowledge of XML
- Knowledge of institutions ILS including maintenance, record loads, and other administrative database tasks
- Personal resilience
- Multi tasking
- Horizon scanning as well as reflective practice
- CPD passionate
- Professionalism
*Sue Myburgh (2005) The New Information Professional. Chandos: England
Susie Kay (2010) Professionalism The ABC for success. Professionalism Books: England
Jennifer Marie Eustis (2010) Conversations with Catalogers in the 21st Century. Libraries Unlimited: England
10 realistic yet motivational facts!
20 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in Infobyte, Librarian, Professionalism Tags: blogroll, Information Management, job satisfaction, librarianship, peer support, positive advocacy, Professionalism, reflection, social media, Susie Kay
Information and knowledge management people are a hardy bunch. What I didn’t know was ahead of me when I embarked on this journey 10 years ago was this:
Information management people have to be resilient in terms of skills and mindset. We are intrepid.
Get noticed. Be professional.
Express yourself. Engage and give feedback.
Try to be visible outside of your ‘echo chamber’.
You will always have to justify what you do to people both at work, and to your friends. Positive advocacy. Show everyone what you are worth!
Always remember your future is your responsibility.
Market yourself. This is now a necessary part of your job.
Share. Communicate your ideas and thoughts.
Motivate others. Lead. Promote positive thoughts.
Don’t panic, and don’t despair.
Its a sure fact that we’re all having to promote ourselves and libraries (thank you government for devaluing librarianship), and its also a sure fact that we should start in our own institutions. With the announcement of further restructures due to changes in HEFCE funding (Universities), proving your worth is key.
My 100th post: Stanford 1971
24 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Professionalism, Scarlettlibrarian Tags: CPD23Things, job roles, job satisfaction, Professionalism, Stanford 1971
So, the Stanford prison experiment may be one of the best known psychology experiments especially as it ended somewhat prematurely and dramatically. The notion of switching roles, and how quickly and easily people engaged with their new roles without retaining any of their personal experiences is frightening. Why am I thinking about this? Because despite personally feeling that a ‘them and us’ physical barrier as well as mental barrier in our team would be detrimental and lets face it, antiquated (I am a ‘them’ and previously an ‘us’), this is what the team leader wants us to revert back to. Actually I’m not so blind as to see that as humans we naturally do this anyway from as early as the playground. Its almost as if to bond, we have to find a common enemy ‘them’, and in doing so, we create a safe community, and we behave accordingly. Almost 2 years ago I applied for a job within my team which meant I made the leap from producer (placing orders, receiving goods, cataloguing) to administrator (manager, leader), however I have tried to hold on and have empathy for how the producers work and what their needs are. What language do I speak? applies more now than ever. So anyone…..if you had to reverse roles, go ‘back to the shop floor’ or ‘head for the dizzy heights’ how do you think you would react? Do the ideas we have of what we would do if we had the authority just turn into unrealistic fantasies? Do the ideas we have of how we would behave and work as a producer also become fantasies?
Many films have been made about switching roles, usually romantic comedies, but usually the person is thrust into a role they desire and then feel they have to behave as society expects or as a stereotype, but never within the boundaries of their own experience. Interesting.
‘Library’ in parts…..
22 Aug 2011 Leave a Comment
in Infobyte, Libraries, Professionalism Tags: books, CPD23Things, librarianship, Libraries, positive advocacy, Professionalism, social media, twitter
I have been inspired to write a follow up post to What constitutes ‘library’? after its slightly controversial reception, positive comments and appearance in the Cilip Information World Weekly e-Bulletin. I wonder how many people are lovers of books and without calling it something new that I heard in a slippery slope Daytime TV moment – ‘Objectum sexuality’ - who really appreciate the building blocks of the ingredients that go into a book, as well as the infinite outcomes/benefits as seen below:
I use Twitter. End of. Here are the 3 tweets that inspired this post:
randomhouse (@randomhouse)15/08/2011 19:15
Bibliophile porn – The Towering Book Stack
AbeBooks (@AbeBooks) 15/08/2011 19:29
A top video of a book being handmade. Warning: Kindle owners may become confused by some scenes. #realbooks
Gary (@ggnewed) 12/08/2011 23:38
Photo: Alice in Wonderland: Read a book on the bus & be miles away. fairytalemood
So, in short, look at this!! An art installation of books (this could arguably be a library but I’ll leave it there), the art of a handmade book - a rare object, and the joys of how reading can transport you to distant lands (imaginary or otherwise).
‘Books are sexy’
